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[Treehouse1]

Wonder if anyone can help please.
Here’s a rough timeline.. (long standing issues now Osteopaenia, vaginal atrophy, and vulvodynia)

Age 41…prem menopause…oral hrt for 10 years
Age 48…still oral hrt,vaginal  atrophy and vulvodynia…started vaginal oestrogen
Age 50…advised to stop the oral. Kept on with vaginal oestrogen. Still had   Vaginal atrophy, vulvodynia, PLUS NOW sweats, stomach problems, depression
Age 56…could stand it no longer, Went on continuous hrt patches plus vaginal oestrogen


So Now to the problem
Age 58…Doc at menopause clinic now mentioned should i be reducing/coming off patches as
heading towards 60. Other doc at clinic had already said no need.
As i have pre osteoporosis, and atrophy and vulvo etc etc is it worth staying on for that alone?
Docs cant agree

Any help gratefully received
Thanks

[Flossieteacake]

I believe staying on HRT can protect our bones. I personally would stay on. I thought Drs no longer thought people should come off it. I am actually surprised a menopause clinic told you to come off it. Unless I have missed something.

VA treatment has to be for life or the symptoms will come back.

[CLKD]

Change your medics!

One doesn't have to stop HRT unless there are underlying symptoms.  HRT protects bones and heart.

Continue with the appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment, some require it nightly.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful to discuss with a Nurse Practitioner or GP.  Was it a gynaecologist at the menopause 'clinic'?  Sometimes they don't know a lot more than GPs 

Brisk walking can ease osteoporosis - mayB have a lookC at the UK-based osteoporosis charity?  Make notes ;-).

Let us know how you get on.

[Taz2]

I believe the NICE guidelines now state that women should be allowed to continue with HRT for as long as they need to.. I'm still on it at 68.

Taz x

[Treehouse1]

Thanks for all your replies
Yes two different docs, one menopause clinic, both at odds with each other.
I couldnt be without the va pessaries so thats ok, its just the patches.
What with me having pre osteo i too think the benefits outweigh, but just wondered if i was missing something !
No wonder confusion abounds. 

[CLKD]

Is there a Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery who might be more clued up?

[Ayesha]

The latest advice is a woman can stay on it for life, it’s up to the woman whether she wants to or not unless there are any medical reasons they shouldn’t continue.
My advice is do your own research and decide for yourself! VA is for life, there should be no confusion or discussion regarding  treatment.

The HRT debate is never ending, bewildering and tiring!

[Limpy]

I am in a similar situation. I've got osteoporosis and MS. GPs have hinted at stopping HRT but when I've said I am very reluctant to do so, they say as long as I am aware of the risks, there is nothing in NICE to say I must give up.

[laszla]

Having to stop HRT approaching 60 is dinosaur advice, it's been quite long established that one can stay on it for life.

[Flossieteacake]

Having to stop HRT approaching 60 is dinosaur advice, it's been quite long established that one can stay on it for life.

laszla summed it up perfectly. 

[sheila99]

The NICE guidelines used to say stop at 60 but now there is no age limit.

[joziel]

You can stay on HRT for as long as you like. The current NICE advice is to stay on it for as long as you feel that the benefits outweigh the risks. Seeing that HRT reduces the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, bowel cancer, dementia.... the benefits are going to outweigh the risks forever for 95% of women.

[Treehouse1]

Thankyou so very much for all your help
I must confess I was a bit surprised when the doc started hectoring me about preparing to come off it.
On balance i think i shall carry on
What a lovely bunch of people…at least theres some good ‘uns left in the world.
XXX